Consulting Agreement Template for Austria

This Consulting Agreement template is designed for use under Austrian law when establishing professional consulting relationships between service providers and clients. It is particularly relevant when engaging external expertise across various business sectors, whether for short-term projects or ongoing advisory services. The agreement includes essential provisions required by Austrian commercial and civil law, addresses GDPR compliance, and clearly defines the independent contractor status of the consultant to avoid potential employment classification issues. The document is structured to protect both parties' interests while ensuring regulatory compliance, making it suitable for both individual consultants and consulting firms providing services to Austrian businesses or organizations operating under Austrian jurisdiction.

1. Parties: Identification of the consultant and the client, including full legal names, addresses, and registration details

2. Background: Context of the agreement and brief description of the parties' intent to enter into a consulting relationship

3. Definitions: Key terms used throughout the agreement defined for clarity and consistent interpretation

4. Scope of Services: Detailed description of consulting services to be provided, including deliverables and expectations

5. Term and Duration: Period of the agreement, including start date and duration or end date

6. Fees and Payment Terms: Consulting fees, payment schedule, expenses, and invoicing procedures

7. Obligations of the Consultant: Consultant's duties, responsibilities, and standard of service

8. Obligations of the Client: Client's responsibilities, including provision of information and cooperation

9. Independent Contractor Status: Clear statement of consultant's independent status to avoid employment classification

10. Confidentiality: Protection of confidential information and trade secrets

11. Data Protection: GDPR compliance and data processing obligations

12. Intellectual Property: Ownership and rights to work products and pre-existing IP

13. Liability and Indemnification: Extent of consultant's liability and indemnification obligations

14. Termination: Conditions and procedures for ending the agreement

15. Governing Law and Jurisdiction: Specification of Austrian law and competent courts

16. General Provisions: Standard clauses including severability, entire agreement, and amendments